Ok, here it is direct from Larry DeMar:
My memory is that the taller sticks were used to minimize the knuckle-scraping on the panel. Also, in that height, the standard Wico joystick had a thinner shaft. The sticks used on Robotron had a much thicker shaft as the standard sticks could be bent when play becomes vigorous enough to move the machine using the 2 ":handles". I don't remember whether the fat shaft stick was stocked by Wico or whether they developed this variant especially for Robotron. I suspect it was the latter. -Larry
Based on the following;
The dual joystick control design resulted from two experiences in Jarvis's life: an automobile accident and playing Berzerk. Prior to beginning development, Jarvis injured his right hand in an accident—his hand was still in a cast when he returned to work, which prevented him from using a traditional joystick with a button. While in rehabilitation, he thought of Berzerk.[7][9] Though Jarvis enjoyed the game and similar titles, he was dissatisfied with the control scheme; Berzerk used a single joystick to move the on-screen character and a button to fire the weapon, which would shoot the same direction the character was facing.[7][10] Jarvis noticed that if the button was held down, the character would remain stationary and the joystick could be used to fire in any direction.[4][10] This method of play inspired Jarvis to add a second joystick dedicated to aiming the direction projectiles were shot.
...it seems as though Jarvis had more to do with the controls selection and implementation. "My memory is" is not a definitive statement, and implies either a layer of removal from the process, or at minimum, a poor recollection. It's also probable that control selection was based on play testing at Williams, who likely made the final decision about which controls were used.
....small switch adjustments make a big difference in overall sensitivity. And the switch ain't gonna break just because you adjust it once.
See the attached diagram. These are rough, but close scale drawings from one of my WICO's. The first two are 3.5" and 4" shafts at the same angle, and show the difference in throw for the user. The last is the short stick at the same throw distance as the long one. There is a ~50% difference in switch gap represented. You might say "big deal", but it is. There is so much difference that, when the gap is adjusted, the stick cannot even be pushed far enough to close the contacts, due to the mechanical restriction of the stick. Also keep in mind that these sticks are
circularly restricted. If it can't (or barely) be hit in a primary direction, in the diagonal, the contacts would be "a country mile" apart.
I'm not saying that "knuckle scraping" considerations did not come into play in the length selection, but it certainly wasn't the only, or perhaps even the primary consideration. There's too much evidence to the contrary.
RandyT
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Topic: I think I hate leaf switch sticks..... (Read 37103 times)
